Nigeria 1 – 0 South Africa

67′ Percy Tau fires a shot from outside the box but goes wide.

65′ Ekong scores from the spot! Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

62′ Penalty for Nigeria after Osimhen is brought down in the box.

60′ Onyeka fires a shot that trails off the goalpost for a goalkick for South Africa.

56′ Osimhen with a header that goes above the roof.

53′ Percy Tau with another chance for South Africa from outside the box but his shot is wide.

52′ Makgopa with a foul on Onyeka. Freekick for Nigeria from inside the Super Eagles half

50′ End-to-end stuff from both teams since the start of the first half

45′ Proceedings resume for the second half

HT: Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

45′ Osimhen with a header that goes wide for a South Africa goalkick

43′ Corner kick for Nigeria after a fine string of offensive play.

38′ Makgopa with a ferocious curler saved by the tip of Nwabali.

35′ Iwobi with a shooting chance from outside the box but his attempt is saved easily by Williams.

33′ South Africa with a corner but Sithole’s header is weak it trails off for a goal kick for Nigeria.

30′ COOLING BREAK

27′ Percy Tau with a weak shot from inside the box that is saved by Nwabali. Bafana Bafana with the momentum in the game currently.

25′ South Africa launch a dangerous attack but a long stretch from Ola Aina in the box keeps Nigeria safe in the game.

24′ Lookman takes the freekick trying to connect to his teammates in the box, but Aina’s header is dealt with by Ronwen Williams in goal for South Africa.

21′ Makgopa intercepts Onyeka in a dangerous position. Nigeria with a freekick from close range.

17′ Onyeka with a foul on Sithole. A freekick to South Africa.

13′ Sithole with a shot from outside the box for South Africa which is saved calmly by Nwabali

8′ Semi Ajayi with a fine move down the flank, but his cross way over the heads of his teammates in the box. So far, Super Eagles with more of the possession.

1′ Victor Osimhen with an early chance, intercepted by the South African defence

1′ Match begins

—————————————————————————————————————–

Nigeria and South Africa are set to lock horns on as they slug it out for a place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This will, however, be the fourth encounter between both sides in the AFCON, with the Super Eagles winning the previous three games with an aggregate score of 8-1.

So far, both sides have had an impressive run to the semi-final – though with Nigeria edging South Africa as the Super Eagles remain unbeaten while Bafana Bafana suffered an early loss against Mali.

Going into the game, the Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro made only one change to his starting line up against South Africa with Bright Osayi-Samuel replacing Zaidu Sanusi who is ruled out of the clash due to a knock.

The Portuguese gaffer maintained faith with his 3-4-3 formation with impressive Stanley Nwabali in goal; William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey in defence.

Right at the middle of the park, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina make up the cast.

While in attack Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman will be looking to get in the goals for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria XI vs South Africa:
Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman.